U.S. University Awarded Grant From State Department to Assist Kandahar University

About the Author: Kerri Hannan serves as Information Officer at the U.S. Embassy Kabul in Afghanistan.

Ball State University in the United States received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of State to help Kandahar University develop curriculua that will emphasize free market principles and entrepreneurship for its new College of Economics.

Members of Kandahar's Economics Department will work with faculty members from Ball State's nationally ranked Center for Entrepreneurship to create courses in entrepreneurship, business development, and economic development.

The purpose of the grant is to provide Afghanistan with added economic development opportunities and integration into the international trade and business community, which lends itself to greater stability and peace in the region.

“We are excited about this historic partnership with Ball State University to strengthen our new Faculty of Economics and raise the English proficiency of our teachers and students,” commented Professor Dr. Hazrat Mir Tota Khil, Chancellor of Kandahar University.

"We are thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with Kandahar University on this venture and happy to offer up Ball State's expertise in entrepreneurship," said Ken Holland, Dean of Ball State's Rinker Center for International Programs." This project will allow Kandahar University to be the first public higher education institution in Afghanistan to highlight free-market principles in its economics curriculum.""Kandahar University is in an area that is ripe for economic development," said Richard Boyum, the U.S. Department of State's university linkages and program evaluation coordinator for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He added, "Kandahar can fulfill its potential as an engine of economic growth in the southern region, an area that is vital to Afghanistan's political and economic stability."

Additionally, faculty and staff from Ball State will work with Kandahar University to improve the English language proficiency of its economics faculty and students and to create a career development center to help students gain more access to internships and employment opportunities.

Comments

Comments

Ogoubi w.

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Togo

November 11, 2010

Ogoubi W. in Togo writes:

Here's a really very good program so far from socialism. This Administration'snt socialism!

Pamel G.

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West Virginia, USA

November 13, 2010

Pamela G. in West Virginia writes:

What a wonderful oppurtunity for Ball State. I think with the combinaton of of minds and ideas wonderful things can happen. Good Luck Ball State.